Each Thursday evening for the last three years, regardless of the weather, Urban Bicycle Food Ministry volunteers prepare and deliver hundreds of burritos and sandwiches to the homeless and food insufficient in Des Moines.

“From our bikes and cars, we serve food and hand out clothing and personal care items. Most importantly we build relationships with people who are often overlooked and marginalized,” says Joe Laslo, CEO.

UBFM has served more than 75,000 burritos and sandwiches over the last three years.

“The love of bicycling and serving those in need has led to dramatic growth in our bicycle food ministry,” says Laslo. “When we are on bikes, sharing food and building relationships is more personal.”

The Urban Bicycle Food Ministry – Des Moines is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is interfaith and non-denominational, intended to serve those in need.

Meals and supplies are prepared at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, 515 Des Moines Street in downtown Des Moines. Each Thursday an average of 50 volunteers prepare food and serve the homeless and food insufficient on eight routes.

The ministry is funded entirely by donations and supported by volunteers.

You can now donate to UBFM Des Moines on our website. Select the Take Action link in the upper right corner of our page. There you will find a donate link. You can make a donation through PayPal using a credit card or your PayPal account. Every dollar you donate pays for approximately 2 burritos we can share with those in needs.

Other ways you can donate include:

Give of your time on a Thursday. Help us prepare and/or join us on our routes

Bring donations to Capitol Hill Lutheran Church on Thursday evenings or contact us for other drop-off options.

Donate gently used coats, hats, and gloves in the winter

Donate bug spray in the summer

Donate batteries (AA and AAA), water, fruit, and toilet paper all year long

UBFM Des Moines has a brand new website! One of our members donated time and resources to put this great website together for information, news, donations (coming soon), and other great features to help the UBFM Des Moines group thrive and grow.